PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

Floristic Survey of the Overton Park Forest This comprehensive plant survey was commissioned by the Park Services division of the City of Memphis and was completed in August of 2009. [Download the 184K PDF]

Thank you for taking the time to meet with Citizens to Preserve Overton Park on May 2. We appreciate your attention to our concerns, and wanted to give you a written record of the proposal we have issued to the Memphis Zoo.

We are asking the Memphis Zoo to agree to the permanent removal of the fence that currently encloses 17 acres of old-growth forest east of Rainbow Lake.

As you know, this publicly owned land has been fenced and closed to public use for more than a decade. Mr. Brady told us that the Memphis Zoo does not plan to develop this land until ten years from now.

In addition, Mr. Brady has assured us that this land will only be developed as a low impact boardwalk trail with no other structures or exhibits. Mr. Brady stated that the goal of this exhibit would be to improve public access to the old-growth forest of Overton Park.

Given these facts, we believe it would best serve the needs of our community to remove the fence and build a nature trail for free public use. Our group stands ready to help fund and implement such a project.

We make this request on behalf of the old-growth forest of Overton Park and the neighborhoods served by this unique and irreplaceable resource. We hope that your Board of Directors will carefully consider the merits of our proposal and agree to take down the fence.

OUR PARK

UPCOMING NATURE HIKES

We offer free guided Old Forest nature walks at 10am on the second Saturday and last Sunday of every month, rain or shine. Kids are always welcome. Meet at the east end of Old Forest Lane, near the Overton Bark dog park. Questions? Email Naomi.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Take a hike!
Walk in the woods and savor the beauty of Overton Park. If you're unfamiliar with the Old Forest trails, join CPOP for a free guided nature hike at 10am on the second Saturday and last Sunday of every month, rain or shine, hot or cold. Everyone is welcome.

Donate
If you'd like to help fund our efforts, any donation is appreciated. You can write a check to "Citizens to Preserve Overton Park" and mail to 618 S. Cox, Memphis, TN 38104. Or you can donate securely online with a PayPal account or credit card by clicking this shiny yellow button:

OUR COALITION

We're grateful to these groups for supporting the Old Forest State Natural Area campaign: